Torbay has a natural environment of international importance in terms of its landscape beauty biodiversity and geodiversity. About 31 square kilometres of Torbay is rural, about 45% of the Torbay Unitary Authority area. There are 45 kilometres of coastline and over 20 public beaches. About 42 square kilometres of sea are within Torbay’s boundary.

Torbay’s natural environment is of great importance for its own sake, but also of vast value as a tourist attraction. At the same time Torbay has a pressing need for housing and economic regeneration. There is a need to promote sustainable development whilst safeguarding the most important natural environment and enhancing degraded assets.

The Torbay Landscape Character Assessment (Enderby Associates 2010) assesses the character of Torbay’s rural areas and divides them into 9 distinctive character areas within Torbay. These are: rolling farmland, level farmland, secluded valley, low lying coast and/or beach, open coastal plateau, offshore islands, cliffs, coastal slopes and combes, and main towns.

Land within the AONB is covered by the South Devon AONB Management Plan (2009-14). This assesses the local characteristics, threats and opportunities for the area and recommends measures for its conservation and management. In addition the Brixham Urban Fringe Study (Enderby Associates, forthcoming) assesses development opportunities and scope to conserve or enhance the AONB and biodiversity around Brixham.

Whilst it is recognised that the AONB around Brixham carries a higher level of protection than elsewhere in Torbay, there are nevertheless a number of highly valued landscapes around the Bay that give the area its character and contribute to biodiversity and geodiversity objectives. This includes rolling farmland, valley systems and undeveloped coast which add greatly to the Devonian character of the locality. Such areas also have significant bio and geodiversity.  Part 2 of the landscape Character Assessment (see above) contains detailed assessments of local character and sensitivity, with a recommended management strategy. These will be taken into account when considering development proposals. There are likely to be instances where limited rural development can be accommodated within the landscape character and will not undermine local habitats.

Locally valued rural and urban landscapes will be safeguarded for their landscape, nature conservation and geodiversity value, and for their contribution as an open element in the townscape. Particular attention will be given to the Landscape Character Assessment, avoiding the coalescence of settlements, protection of the undeveloped coastline, skylines features, important views and the achievement of Geopark objectives. Where development is permitted, the retention and enhancement of the area’s distinctive natural, historic or cultural features (such as trees, hedgerows, watercourses) will be required.

The coast is significant from an environmental, economic and social perspective and adds greatly to the quality of life for Torbay’s residents. The scenic beauty and natural setting underpin Torbay’s popularity as a place to live and work. The rich diversity in the physical form of the coast is embodied in the designation of the English Riviera as a Geopark (awarded by UNESCO). The coastal region contains a large number of accessible award-winning bathing beaches and Torbay’s three harbours which form an important recreational and amenity resource, providing extensive mooring facilities, marinas and sailing clubs, historic vessels and home to the local fishing fleets. The South West Coast Path extends along Torbay’s coastline, providing an attractive environment for walking and is a popular draw for tourists.

It is important that the qualities of the coastline are conserved for future generations, in particular the important areas of undeveloped coast. The protection of the coast often corresponds with landscape, heritage and nature conservation objectives.  The Landscape Character Assessment identifies a number of coastal landscape character types which incorporate the majority of the land within the undeveloped coast (Figure 15:- Low Lying Coast &/or Beaches; Open Coastal Plateau; Cliffs, and Coastal Slopes & Coombes) The majority of new development along the coast therefore, will be focussed on the existing developed area.

All development should have regard to its environmental setting and should not be to the detriment to the natural assets or setting of the Bay. Torbay Council seeks to safeguard, conserve and enhance important natural landscape features within the Bay.  In landscape terms, about 700 ha around Brixham and the south of Paignton are within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This has the same national significance as a national park and should be accorded the “highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty” (PPS7, paragraph 21).

The landscape characters and management schedules contained in the Landscape Character Assessment (or any successor document) will be taken into account when assessing the landscape impact of proposed development. Trees and landscaping also contribute to community well being, and the impact of development on amenity will also be taken into account.

High quality landscaping should be incorporated as part of development proposals and be proportionate to the scale and nature of the proposed development.  Landscaping measures should form an integral part of development and seek to reflect the distinctiveness and character of its surroundings and the local landscape.  Early contact with the Council’s urban design team is advised to discuss landscaping measures. Landscaping schemes should be based on:

Appropriate measures will be taken to protect existing trees and landscape features. The Council will seek advance planting where practicable. Appropriate protection measures will include approved management programmes, planning conditions or Section 106 Agreements, conservation area legislation or Tree Preservation Orders.